← Colchester (all cycles) · 7 May 2026 cohort
Colchester 2026
Local elections held 7 May 2026.
Each race compares the marginal winner's share of valid ballots to the proportional quota — the share they'd need under any common proportional method. How the numbers are derived →
If votes were counted by party
Across the 17 wards in this cycle, parties received the vote totals below. The proportional column shows what each party would have won if the 17 seats had been shared out in proportion to votes received (how, with caveats). The Δ column is the actual seat count minus the proportional seat count — positive numbers are parties First-Past-the-Post over-represented; negative are parties it under-represented.
| Party | Votes | Vote % | Seats won | % of seats | Proportional seats | Proportional % | Δ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reform UK | 17,092 | 29.3% | 5 | 29.4% | 5 | 29.4% | 0 |
| Conservative Party | 12,384 | 21.2% | 5 | 29.4% | 4 | 23.5% | +1 |
| Liberal Democrats | 10,949 | 18.8% | 3 | 17.6% | 3 | 17.6% | 0 |
| Green Party | 9,143 | 15.7% | 1 | 5.9% | 3 | 17.6% | -2 |
| Labour Party | 8,322 | 14.3% | 3 | 17.6% | 2 | 11.8% | +1 |
| Independent | 441 | 0.8% | 0 | 0.0% | 0 | 0.0% | 0 |
| Total | 58,331 | 100.0% | 17 | 100.0% | 17 | 100.0% | 0 |
Vote share vs seats won
The top bar is each party's share of votes cast in this council. Below, one square per seat, coloured by the party that won it — first the actual First-Past-the-Post result, then what a proportional method would have produced from the same vote totals. Divergence between the bar and the actual grid is the indictment of the method.
Council composition: what this election replaced
Two opencouncildata snapshots: the council immediately after the 2026 election (current) and immediately before it (2025). Only ~⅓ of seats were contested in 2026 — most of the bench is unchanged, and the cycle's effect on the overall composition is what shifts.
Wards in this council
Sorted with the largest gap below the quota first. Click any ward to jump to its full result.
- Highwoods · 1 seat · won at 28.2% · −21.8 pts below quota
- New Town and Christ Church · 1 seat · won at 32.4% · −17.6 pts below quota
- Stanway · 1 seat · won at 32.8% · −17.2 pts below quota
- Shrub End · 1 seat · won at 34.0% · −16.0 pts below quota
- Greenstead · 1 seat · won at 35.0% · −15.0 pts below quota
- Prettygate · 1 seat · won at 36.5% · −13.5 pts below quota
- Berechurch · 1 seat · won at 37.7% · −12.3 pts below quota
- Marks Tey and Layer · 1 seat · won at 38.1% · −11.9 pts below quota
- Mersea and Pyefleet · 1 seat · won at 38.2% · −11.8 pts below quota
- Tiptree · 1 seat · won at 38.7% · −11.3 pts below quota
- Old Heath and the Hythe · 1 seat · won at 40.3% · −9.7 pts below quota
- Rural North · 1 seat · won at 42.2% · −7.8 pts below quota
- Castle · 1 seat · won at 43.9% · −6.1 pts below quota
- Lexden and Braiswick · 1 seat · won at 45.0% · −5.0 pts below quota
- Wivenhoe · 1 seat · won at 46.3% · −3.7 pts below quota
- St Anne's and St John's · 1 seat · won at 46.8% · −3.2 pts below quota
- Mile End · 1 seat · won at 50.4% · above quota
Race results
Highwoods · single-seat
Marginal winner Winning candidate's share of valid ballots. 28.2% Proportional quota 50.0% Below quota Marginal winner's share minus the proportional quota for this race. Negative = below; positive = above. −21.8 pts Valid ballots (est.) Estimated voters: total votes ÷ 1 seats. Source data does not publish a ballot count for this cycle. 2,985
| Rank | Candidate | Party | Votes | Share of votes Candidate votes ÷ total votes cast in this ward. Matches the share the council publishes. | Below quota Each elected candidate's share of valid ballots minus the proportional quota for this race. Negative = won the seat below the quota; positive = cleared it. | Elected |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sue Ettritch | Reform UK | 842 | 28.2% | −21.8 pts | Elected |
| 2 | Mark Jenkins | Liberal Democrats | 727 | 24.4% | — | |
| 3 | Jocelyn Emma Law | Labour Party | 674 | 22.6% | — | |
| 4 | Angus Allan | Conservative Party | 436 | 14.6% | — | |
| 5 | Alison Dyvig | Green Party | 306 | 10.3% | — |
New Town and Christ Church · single-seat
Marginal winner Winning candidate's share of valid ballots. 32.4% Proportional quota 50.0% Below quota Marginal winner's share minus the proportional quota for this race. Negative = below; positive = above. −17.6 pts Valid ballots (est.) Estimated voters: total votes ÷ 1 seats. Source data does not publish a ballot count for this cycle. 3,859
| Rank | Candidate | Party | Votes | Share of votes Candidate votes ÷ total votes cast in this ward. Matches the share the council publishes. | Below quota Each elected candidate's share of valid ballots minus the proportional quota for this race. Negative = won the seat below the quota; positive = cleared it. | Elected |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kayleigh Rippingale | Labour Party | 1,249 | 32.4% | −17.6 pts | Elected |
| 2 | Andrew Canessa | Green Party | 899 | 23.3% | — | |
| 3 | Andrew Eddy | Reform UK | 746 | 19.3% | — | |
| 4 | Annesley Hardy | Conservative Party | 467 | 12.1% | — | |
| 5 | Alan Mathias | Liberal Democrats | 459 | 11.9% | — | |
| 6 | Ian Partridge | Independent | 39 | 1.0% | — |
Stanway · single-seat
Marginal winner Winning candidate's share of valid ballots. 32.8% Proportional quota 50.0% Below quota Marginal winner's share minus the proportional quota for this race. Negative = below; positive = above. −17.2 pts Valid ballots (est.) Estimated voters: total votes ÷ 1 seats. Source data does not publish a ballot count for this cycle. 3,032
| Rank | Candidate | Party | Votes | Share of votes Candidate votes ÷ total votes cast in this ward. Matches the share the council publishes. | Below quota Each elected candidate's share of valid ballots minus the proportional quota for this race. Negative = won the seat below the quota; positive = cleared it. | Elected |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mike Saunders | Reform UK | 995 | 32.8% | −17.2 pts | Elected |
| 2 | Amir William Anbouche | Liberal Democrats | 671 | 22.1% | — | |
| 3 | Cody Jon Butler | Conservative Party | 470 | 15.5% | — | |
| 4 | Lizzie Bolton | Independent | 402 | 13.3% | — | |
| 5 | Clare Smee | Green Party | 266 | 8.8% | — | |
| 6 | John Spademan | Labour Party | 228 | 7.5% | — |
Shrub End · single-seat
Marginal winner Winning candidate's share of valid ballots. 34.0% Proportional quota 50.0% Below quota Marginal winner's share minus the proportional quota for this race. Negative = below; positive = above. −16.0 pts Valid ballots (est.) Estimated voters: total votes ÷ 1 seats. Source data does not publish a ballot count for this cycle. 2,757
| Rank | Candidate | Party | Votes | Share of votes Candidate votes ÷ total votes cast in this ward. Matches the share the council publishes. | Below quota Each elected candidate's share of valid ballots minus the proportional quota for this race. Negative = won the seat below the quota; positive = cleared it. | Elected |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | James Child | Reform UK | 937 | 34.0% | −16.0 pts | Elected |
| 2 | Mick Spindler | Liberal Democrats | 850 | 30.8% | — | |
| 3 | Cameron Hope | Labour Party | 333 | 12.1% | — | |
| 4 | Robert Charles Brannan | Green Party | 321 | 11.6% | — | |
| 5 | Bevan Waghorn | Conservative Party | 316 | 11.5% | — |
Greenstead · single-seat
Marginal winner Winning candidate's share of valid ballots. 35.0% Proportional quota 50.0% Below quota Marginal winner's share minus the proportional quota for this race. Negative = below; positive = above. −15.0 pts Valid ballots (est.) Estimated voters: total votes ÷ 1 seats. Source data does not publish a ballot count for this cycle. 2,565
| Rank | Candidate | Party | Votes | Share of votes Candidate votes ÷ total votes cast in this ward. Matches the share the council publishes. | Below quota Each elected candidate's share of valid ballots minus the proportional quota for this race. Negative = won the seat below the quota; positive = cleared it. | Elected |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Daryl Swain | Reform UK | 899 | 35.0% | −15.0 pts | Elected |
| 2 | Elizabeth Alake-Akinyemi | Labour Party | 781 | 30.4% | — | |
| 3 | Lisa Jane Cross | Green Party | 393 | 15.3% | — | |
| 4 | Ronnie Achille | Conservative Party | 268 | 10.4% | — | |
| 5 | Daniel Ribton | Liberal Democrats | 224 | 8.7% | — |
Prettygate · single-seat
Marginal winner Winning candidate's share of valid ballots. 36.5% Proportional quota 50.0% Below quota Marginal winner's share minus the proportional quota for this race. Negative = below; positive = above. −13.5 pts Valid ballots (est.) Estimated voters: total votes ÷ 1 seats. Source data does not publish a ballot count for this cycle. 3,698
| Rank | Candidate | Party | Votes | Share of votes Candidate votes ÷ total votes cast in this ward. Matches the share the council publishes. | Below quota Each elected candidate's share of valid ballots minus the proportional quota for this race. Negative = won the seat below the quota; positive = cleared it. | Elected |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | David Linghorn-Baker | Conservative Party | 1,350 | 36.5% | −13.5 pts | Elected |
| 2 | Sophie Almina Preston-Hall | Reform UK | 918 | 24.8% | — | |
| 3 | John Loxley | Liberal Democrats | 728 | 19.7% | — | |
| 4 | Stella Eldon | Green Party | 380 | 10.3% | — | |
| 5 | Chris Coates | Labour Party | 322 | 8.7% | — |
Berechurch · single-seat
Marginal winner Winning candidate's share of valid ballots. 37.7% Proportional quota 50.0% Below quota Marginal winner's share minus the proportional quota for this race. Negative = below; positive = above. −12.3 pts Valid ballots (est.) Estimated voters: total votes ÷ 1 seats. Source data does not publish a ballot count for this cycle. 2,525
| Rank | Candidate | Party | Votes | Share of votes Candidate votes ÷ total votes cast in this ward. Matches the share the council publishes. | Below quota Each elected candidate's share of valid ballots minus the proportional quota for this race. Negative = won the seat below the quota; positive = cleared it. | Elected |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Martyn Warnes | Labour Party | 952 | 37.7% | −12.3 pts | Elected |
| 2 | Max Maxwell | Reform UK | 947 | 37.5% | — | |
| 3 | Patrick Guy Merienne | Green Party | 269 | 10.7% | — | |
| 4 | Chris Piggott | Conservative Party | 211 | 8.4% | — | |
| 5 | Crystelle Rollo-Hislop | Liberal Democrats | 146 | 5.8% | — |
Marks Tey and Layer · single-seat
Marginal winner Winning candidate's share of valid ballots. 38.1% Proportional quota 50.0% Below quota Marginal winner's share minus the proportional quota for this race. Negative = below; positive = above. −11.9 pts Valid ballots (est.) Estimated voters: total votes ÷ 1 seats. Source data does not publish a ballot count for this cycle. 3,808
| Rank | Candidate | Party | Votes | Share of votes Candidate votes ÷ total votes cast in this ward. Matches the share the council publishes. | Below quota Each elected candidate's share of valid ballots minus the proportional quota for this race. Negative = won the seat below the quota; positive = cleared it. | Elected |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Andrew Patrick Harding | Reform UK | 1,452 | 38.1% | −11.9 pts | Elected |
| 2 | Jackie MacLean | Conservative Party | 1,257 | 33.0% | — | |
| 3 | Berthold Lausen | Green Party | 482 | 12.7% | — | |
| 4 | Mark John Hull | Liberal Democrats | 354 | 9.3% | — | |
| 5 | Wayne Tearle | Labour Party | 263 | 6.9% | — |
Mersea and Pyefleet · single-seat
Marginal winner Winning candidate's share of valid ballots. 38.2% Proportional quota 50.0% Below quota Marginal winner's share minus the proportional quota for this race. Negative = below; positive = above. −11.8 pts Valid ballots (est.) Estimated voters: total votes ÷ 1 seats. Source data does not publish a ballot count for this cycle. 4,117
| Rank | Candidate | Party | Votes | Share of votes Candidate votes ÷ total votes cast in this ward. Matches the share the council publishes. | Below quota Each elected candidate's share of valid ballots minus the proportional quota for this race. Negative = won the seat below the quota; positive = cleared it. | Elected |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Robert Alec Davidson | Conservative Party | 1,573 | 38.2% | −11.8 pts | Elected |
| 2 | Christopher Paul Perera | Reform UK | 1,468 | 35.7% | — | |
| 3 | Heidi Cornish | Green Party | 597 | 14.5% | — | |
| 4 | John Micheal Knight | Liberal Democrats | 254 | 6.2% | — | |
| 5 | Natalie Eldred | Labour Party | 225 | 5.5% | — |
Tiptree · single-seat
Marginal winner Winning candidate's share of valid ballots. 38.7% Proportional quota 50.0% Below quota Marginal winner's share minus the proportional quota for this race. Negative = below; positive = above. −11.3 pts Valid ballots (est.) Estimated voters: total votes ÷ 1 seats. Source data does not publish a ballot count for this cycle. 3,524
| Rank | Candidate | Party | Votes | Share of votes Candidate votes ÷ total votes cast in this ward. Matches the share the council publishes. | Below quota Each elected candidate's share of valid ballots minus the proportional quota for this race. Negative = won the seat below the quota; positive = cleared it. | Elected |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rhys Kenneth Smithson | Conservative Party | 1,364 | 38.7% | −11.3 pts | Elected |
| 2 | Aimee Louise Keteca | Reform UK | 1,363 | 38.7% | — | |
| 3 | Lewis David Burn | Green Party | 359 | 10.2% | — | |
| 4 | Barry Gilheany | Labour Party | 224 | 6.4% | — | |
| 5 | Sue Waite | Liberal Democrats | 214 | 6.1% | — |
Old Heath and the Hythe · single-seat
Marginal winner Winning candidate's share of valid ballots. 40.3% Proportional quota 50.0% Below quota Marginal winner's share minus the proportional quota for this race. Negative = below; positive = above. −9.7 pts Valid ballots (est.) Estimated voters: total votes ÷ 1 seats. Source data does not publish a ballot count for this cycle. 3,355
| Rank | Candidate | Party | Votes | Share of votes Candidate votes ÷ total votes cast in this ward. Matches the share the council publishes. | Below quota Each elected candidate's share of valid ballots minus the proportional quota for this race. Negative = won the seat below the quota; positive = cleared it. | Elected |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lee Paul Scordis | Labour Party | 1,351 | 40.3% | −9.7 pts | Elected |
| 2 | Simon Hughes | Reform UK | 1,063 | 31.7% | — | |
| 3 | Alyssa Katherine Carrington | Green Party | 566 | 16.9% | — | |
| 4 | Andrew John Higginson | Conservative Party | 221 | 6.6% | — | |
| 5 | Jenny Stevens | Liberal Democrats | 154 | 4.6% | — |
Rural North · single-seat
Marginal winner Winning candidate's share of valid ballots. 42.2% Proportional quota 50.0% Below quota Marginal winner's share minus the proportional quota for this race. Negative = below; positive = above. −7.8 pts Valid ballots (est.) Estimated voters: total votes ÷ 1 seats. Source data does not publish a ballot count for this cycle. 4,372
| Rank | Candidate | Party | Votes | Share of votes Candidate votes ÷ total votes cast in this ward. Matches the share the council publishes. | Below quota Each elected candidate's share of valid ballots minus the proportional quota for this race. Negative = won the seat below the quota; positive = cleared it. | Elected |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | William D'Urban Sunnucks | Conservative Party | 1,847 | 42.2% | −7.8 pts | Elected |
| 2 | Graham Wilson | Reform UK | 1,385 | 31.7% | — | |
| 3 | Alex Elizabeth McCormick | Green Party | 450 | 10.3% | — | |
| 4 | Karen Dawn Maxwell | Liberal Democrats | 375 | 8.6% | — | |
| 5 | Gary David Braddy | Labour Party | 315 | 7.2% | — |
Castle · single-seat
Marginal winner Winning candidate's share of valid ballots. 43.9% Proportional quota 50.0% Below quota Marginal winner's share minus the proportional quota for this race. Negative = below; positive = above. −6.1 pts Valid ballots (est.) Estimated voters: total votes ÷ 1 seats. Source data does not publish a ballot count for this cycle. 3,434
| Rank | Candidate | Party | Votes | Share of votes Candidate votes ÷ total votes cast in this ward. Matches the share the council publishes. | Below quota Each elected candidate's share of valid ballots minus the proportional quota for this race. Negative = won the seat below the quota; positive = cleared it. | Elected |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Amy Kirkby-Taylor | Green Party | 1,507 | 43.9% | −6.1 pts | Elected |
| 2 | Susan Mary Jennings | Reform UK | 695 | 20.2% | — | |
| 3 | Richard Martin | Conservative Party | 432 | 12.6% | — | |
| 4 | Laura Philpin | Labour Party | 409 | 11.9% | — | |
| 5 | Martin Gillingham | Liberal Democrats | 391 | 11.4% | — |
Lexden and Braiswick · single-seat
Marginal winner Winning candidate's share of valid ballots. 45.0% Proportional quota 50.0% Below quota Marginal winner's share minus the proportional quota for this race. Negative = below; positive = above. −5.0 pts Valid ballots (est.) Estimated voters: total votes ÷ 1 seats. Source data does not publish a ballot count for this cycle. 3,790
| Rank | Candidate | Party | Votes | Share of votes Candidate votes ÷ total votes cast in this ward. Matches the share the council publishes. | Below quota Each elected candidate's share of valid ballots minus the proportional quota for this race. Negative = won the seat below the quota; positive = cleared it. | Elected |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sara Jane Naylor | Conservative Party | 1,706 | 45.0% | −5.0 pts | Elected |
| 2 | Keith Charles Coomber | Reform UK | 956 | 25.2% | — | |
| 3 | James Robert David Jefferies | Green Party | 453 | 12.0% | — | |
| 4 | Jacqui Morley | Liberal Democrats | 366 | 9.7% | — | |
| 5 | Paul Ojo | Labour Party | 309 | 8.2% | — |
Wivenhoe · single-seat
Marginal winner Winning candidate's share of valid ballots. 46.3% Proportional quota 50.0% Below quota Marginal winner's share minus the proportional quota for this race. Negative = below; positive = above. −3.7 pts Valid ballots (est.) Estimated voters: total votes ÷ 1 seats. Source data does not publish a ballot count for this cycle. 3,347
| Rank | Candidate | Party | Votes | Share of votes Candidate votes ÷ total votes cast in this ward. Matches the share the council publishes. | Below quota Each elected candidate's share of valid ballots minus the proportional quota for this race. Negative = won the seat below the quota; positive = cleared it. | Elected |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Andrea Luxford Vaughan | Liberal Democrats | 1,548 | 46.3% | −3.7 pts | Elected |
| 2 | Cecily Hope Spelling | Green Party | 1,092 | 32.6% | — | |
| 3 | Leighton Lee James Sealeaf | Reform UK | 418 | 12.5% | — | |
| 4 | Zac Heskins | Labour Party | 173 | 5.2% | — | |
| 5 | Christopher Leslie Frank Thompson | Conservative Party | 116 | 3.5% | — |
St Anne's and St John's · single-seat
Marginal winner Winning candidate's share of valid ballots. 46.8% Proportional quota 50.0% Below quota Marginal winner's share minus the proportional quota for this race. Negative = below; positive = above. −3.2 pts Valid ballots (est.) Estimated voters: total votes ÷ 1 seats. Source data does not publish a ballot count for this cycle. 3,367
| Rank | Candidate | Party | Votes | Share of votes Candidate votes ÷ total votes cast in this ward. Matches the share the council publishes. | Below quota Each elected candidate's share of valid ballots minus the proportional quota for this race. Negative = won the seat below the quota; positive = cleared it. | Elected |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Paul Smith | Liberal Democrats | 1,576 | 46.8% | −3.2 pts | Elected |
| 2 | Dean Dasley | Reform UK | 1,208 | 35.9% | — | |
| 3 | Sebastian Dwyer | Green Party | 333 | 9.9% | — | |
| 4 | Christine Dale | Labour Party | 250 | 7.4% | — |
Mile End · single-seat
Marginal winner Winning candidate's share of valid ballots. 50.4% Proportional quota 50.0% Below quota Marginal winner's share minus the proportional quota for this race. Negative = below; positive = above. +0.4 pts Valid ballots (est.) Estimated voters: total votes ÷ 1 seats. Source data does not publish a ballot count for this cycle. 3,796
| Rank | Candidate | Party | Votes | Share of votes Candidate votes ÷ total votes cast in this ward. Matches the share the council publishes. | Below quota Each elected candidate's share of valid ballots minus the proportional quota for this race. Negative = won the seat below the quota; positive = cleared it. | Elected |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | David King | Liberal Democrats | 1,912 | 50.4% | +0.4 pts | Elected |
| 2 | Flavia Popescu-Richardson | Reform UK | 800 | 21.1% | — | |
| 3 | Amanda Jane Kirke | Green Party | 470 | 12.4% | — | |
| 4 | Marianne Andersen | Conservative Party | 350 | 9.2% | — | |
| 5 | Pauline Bacon | Labour Party | 264 | 7.0% | — |